Red Cross Wants to Recognize YOUR Heroes (#RedTieHeroes)

"The American Red Cross is looking for stories of individuals both within and outside of the organization who embody the spirit of the Red Cross mission."

Posted October 02, 2014, New York, New York

On October 23, 2014, the American Red Cross will recognize “everyday” heroes from across the region and across the country at its annual event–Red Tie Affair, Honoring our Heroes.

In advance of this upcoming celebration, the American Red Cross is looking for stories of individuals both within and outside of the organization who embody the spirit of the Red Cross mission—to alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies.

From now through October 23, the Red Cross is calling on New Yorkers to recognize, via Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #RedTieHeroes, those individuals who have gone above and beyond to help someone in need.

Throughout the month, via Red Cross social media, as well as during the October 23 event, the Red Cross will share a selection of these submitted stories.

As part of the event, the Red Cross will also honor several humanitarians, including Emmy-Award winning actress Candice Bergen, who will receive the Red Cross Vanguard Award for her commitment to serving those in need. Also being honored is BNY Mellon who will receive the Corporate Leadership Award, and Greater New York Red Cross board member Patrick Durkin who will be presented with the Humanitarian Award.

Additionally, the Red Cross will pay special tribute at the event to two exceptional individuals who, in the face of adversity, stepped up to perform extraordinary acts—Jermaine Shirley and Pamela Rauseo.

Rauseo and Shirley and the Red Tie Heroes event will also be highlighted on 2,787 Chase ATM machines in New York City and Long Island and on 181 Wells Fargo ATM machines in New York State. Wells Fargo will also promote the October 23 event on digital screens in their 82 New York stores. Along with this support from Chase and Wells Fargo, iHeartMedia will recognize these heroes on their six New York City stations (Z100, 103.5 KTU, Q 104.3, Power 105.1, 106.7 Lite FM, 710 WOR AM) through a series of public service announcements from October 19 through the end of the month.

Jermaine Shirley

On the morning of December 18, 2013, U.S. Postal worker and father Jermaine Shirley woke to find his Bronx apartment building engulfed in flames. He not only ran from door-to-door, rousing people and urging them to evacuate, he also caught infant twin boys tossed by their father from the building’s third-floor fire escape as the blaze overtook their apartment. Everyone survived.

Pamela Rauseo

This February, Bronx native Pamela Rauseo was stuck in traffic on a Miami expressway with her five-month-old nephew in the backseat. Then, the boy stopped breathing. Previously trained in CPR, Pamela stopped the car and successfully breathed life into her nephew’s motionless body.

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/gny or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossNY.